Page 120 of Obligation and Redemption
“I believe I was about twelve when last I laid eyes on you. You must have been fifteen.” Darcy looked across the room, as the recollection came to mind.
“I remember thinking you were a remarkably beautiful older woman at the time.” Then turning to her, he said, “and I can see you have changed little. I am surprised I did not recognise you, now that I know who you are. I recall having a boyhood infatuation with you during that time.” Darcy said this with a look of mischief in his eyes.
“My father would state that he was to pay your father a visit, and I would tag along, hoping to get a look at you.” He laughed at the antics of his own youth.
“You tease me, sir!” Mrs. Gardiner returned laughing.
“Indeed, I do not. I was certain you did not even notice me. Then your father died and you moved away. I thought never to see you again, and now here you are, and Elizabeth’s aunt! Whatever happened to you after you left Lambton?”
“After my father’s death, my family moved to London to live with my grandfather on my mother’s side.
I attended a school for ladies to complete my education, for my grandpapa had little use for a girl of sixteen.
I eventually met Mr. Gardiner at the theatre with friends and soon became engaged.
My family’s noble heritage made up for my lack of dowry, for a rector could provide but little by way of financial benefit for a daughter coming out in society. ”
“Your noble heritage?”
“My father was the second son of a gentleman who was the third son of Lord Pennington, the Earl of Devon.” She laughed gently at the look of shock on his countenance. “You look surprised, sir. I am astounded that Lizzy has not told you all of this.”
Darcy stood and walked to the window. Why did Elizabeth not tell me?
She must have known this would positively affect my acceptance of her family.
Perhaps that is why she did not. She wanted me to value them as her relations, not based on her aunt’s breeding.
She does not boast of her connections like so many others I know.
Elizabeth must find me such an arrogant snob.
I am certain she has laughed at me time and again.
“She has never mentioned any of your history excepting the location of your current home.”
“That would be like her. She delights in observing people’s reactions.
She was probably waiting for just the right moment to spring the news on you to see how you would respond!
” Mrs. Gardiner laughed becomingly. “Why don’t we just not tell her and thwart her plans!
” They both chuckled in merriment. Mrs. Gardiner was indeed surprised at her niece’s failure to inform Mr. Darcy of her family’s origins.
It would likely have made the transition into Elizabeth’s marriage easier and may have even resulted in more time spent in one another’s company, but perhaps Elizabeth wanted Mr. Darcy to accept her family based on his own experiences not Mrs. Gardiner’s family name, which would have nothing to do with character or intrinsic value.
“Your great-grandfather was the Earl of Devon, so the current Earl of Devon… ”
“… is my first cousin, once-removed,” she finished, “Yes. I cannot say we are close, for his propensities are unlike my own family’s.
My father chose the church, not completely out of necessity, but because he desired to serve God and fellow man.
His cousin, who inherited not just the name, but the title, has lived his life as many noble men of our day, with dissipation and waste. ”
“I am familiar with the man and went to Cambridge with his youngest son, Roger Pennington, who like his father indulges in the trappings of this life. He refused to join the armed services and has sought a life in the church.”
“He is a great seducer of this world and will likely, through his connections, find an appointment and bring his form of religion to a na?ve and vulnerable flock.”
Darcy returned to his chair, and they both sat in quiet refection, Mrs. Gardiner on the injustice and depravity of the world in which they lived, and Darcy on the remarkable connection between Elizabeth and a titled family, seeing that her close relations were by far the more genteel of the noble name, as they were obviously more honourable in their view of the world.
They were both roused out of their musings by Bingley, declaring that he and Miss Bennet desired to go for a walk and hoped that the other two would join them.
As they all regarded the prospect with pleasure, they donned their outerwear and left for the bustling market street, Bingley and Jane re-establishing their easy rapport, and Darcy and Mrs. Gardiner sharing memories of Derbyshire and of the niece whom Mrs. Gardiner esteemed and Darcy was growing to admire all the more.
“Mr. Darcy, my mother highly regarded yours and was grieved when she died. We were so very sorry for your loss,” said Mrs. Gardiner.
He looked on her with new warmth in his eyes.
“I have never forgotten your mother’s kindness.
She arrived at Pemberley the following day with a basket full of breads, sweets and pickled vegetables.
I remember that George Wickham scoffed at the offering, questioning why anyone would give food to those at Pemberley; we had the finest kitchens in the land.
But I had never tasted fare so fine or so welcome.
I discovered that there is no aroma more delicious than the product lovingly made by the sympathetic hands of a compassionate neighbour. ”
“We mourned in our home as if our own family had died, not knowing that would soon be the case. I believe my own father, along with one of his parishioners, died but two months after your own gracious mother.”
“I had forgotten how close together those events played out. That was when you moved away. My father had a hard time recovering from the death of my mother, especially when his pastor and friend died. He had no support after that but a distraught twelve year old boy who missed his mother most exceedingly.”
“When your father also passed, I received word through local friends who kept me abreast of the happenings. My heart went out to you as I prayed for your strength and comfort. And now I see that you have grown into a fine man, fully capable of being a master to a large and prosperous estate.” Tenderness shone in her eyes as she spoke, and Darcy knew that she spoke from the heart.
Mrs. Gardiner invited the two young men to dine, so that Mr. Gardiner might have the occasion to further his acquaintance with them.
The petition was agreed upon with alacrity, much to the delight of Jane who had not had the chance as yet to speak with Mr. Darcy about her sister, Elizabeth.
She longed to know how she was faring. The evening was spent in mutual regard and pleasure as Darcy lamented that he had never given the Gardiners an overture into his association.
Mr. Gardiner was a man of keen intellect and amiable nature.
No one who found himself in the company of the husband and wife could find anything wanting.
As the evening progressed, Darcy found where Elizabeth had acquired her taste for music and the arts.
Also, her teasing nature mimicked that of both the Gardiners.
Darcy marvelled at the ease and respect each Gardiner showed towards the other, and he realised that this was the type of marriage that he had unknowingly longed for.
How could I have been so mistaken in my estimation of her family?
Satisfied that he had finally chosen the nobler course, Darcy determined to encourage Bingley once again to follow his heart.
So the next morning, he visited Bingley and requested a private conference.
Darcy apologised again for having intervened without justification in separating his friend from Miss Bennet, but this time conceded that it was for the sole reason of gratifying his own selfish motives.
He professed that he found Jane Bennet to be a woman of grace and honour who would not capitulate to a marriage based on mercenary motives without also having the benefit of respect and love.
“Then you believe she might actually have feelings for me, not just an inclination to satisfy her mother’s designs?” Bingley asked with renewed hope.
“I believe that Jane Bennet is a woman who knows her mind, and if you would but ask, you would receive the answer you have longed for since I interfered in your plan.” Darcy smiled at Bingley’s look of delight, and then sobered.
“Charles, again please forgive me for my insolence. I wrongly hurt one of my dearest friends, which has resulted in the deprivation of happiness for more than one person, individuals for whom I care deeply. I will understand if you cannot find it in your heart to overlook my interference.”
“Nonsense! You say that you think she will accept me out of admiration rather than just my bank account? Because, I do believe I would offer for her anyway, but knowing she has feelings for me would make it all the better.”
“I do believe she does, if her manner towards you last night is any indication.”
After a few moments of reflection, Bingley said, “You know, Darcy, I find it odd how the majority of women in your circle marry for avaricious inclinations, and that is acceptable, even to you, as the norm, but when a true lady of value seeks to marry, and she is suspected of mercenary intent, you attempted to thwart her (or in this case her mother’s) designs.
Do you not find your thinking to be rather duplicitous? ”
“Charles, I am learning to examine my own heart and am finding it lacking in many ways. I cannot say you are mistaken, but I hope to finally be rectifying my misjudgements.”
“Are you for Pemberley today?”
“No, I am to be here a few more days on business; then I will head home. ”